Hunting Access Enhancement Programs

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For the 2003 hunting season, hunters in Montana will have access to over 8.5 million acres of land statewide through the Block Management Program administered by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.   The program assists landowners in managing hunting activities and provides hunters with free public hunting access to private and isolated public land.

Hunters interested in learning more about lands enrolled in FWP’s Block Management Program should contact the regional FWP office in the area where they plan to hunt.   Each region publishes a Hunting Access Guide that gives detailed information about lands in the program in that region, as well as providing information about other regional hunting access options.

Most regions have several new Block Management Areas (BMA) enrolled for the 2003 season, as additional funding was allocated to grow and improve the program.   Also, hunters will find improved BMA maps for many areas.   

Other FWP hunting access enhancement programs, like Access Montana, which focuses on public hunting access to state and federal lands, and Special Access Projects, which are regional access projects focused on specific game species, offer hunters additional opportunities.   Information about these programs is also available from the FWP regional offices.  

  The Hunting Access Enhancement Fee created by the 2001 Montana Legislature, along with other funding, is used to fund these programs to help maintain and expand hunters’ access to private and public lands.   The one-time annual fee of $2 for residents and $10 for nonresidents is charged at the time the hunter purchases the first hunting license of the season.

Hunters should also investigate the "Hunting" pages on the FWP web site for detailed hunting access information.   Users will find access tips and links to other agencies and programs, Block Management information, and downloadable FWP publications useful in pursuing hunting opportunities on public and private land throughout Montana.   Hunting access information is available from the FWP home page at www.fwp.state.mt.us   by clicking on Hunting, and then Planning a Hunt.

For local access information, hunters can all the nearest FWP regional office.

*     Northwest--Kalispell

Region 1     406-752-5501

*        West-central--Missoula

Region 2            406-542-5500

*        South-central--Bozeman

Region 3            406-994-4042

*        Central-Great Falls

Region 4            406-454-5840

*        East-central--Billings

Region 5            406-247-2940

*        Northeast--Glasgow

Region 6            406-228-3700

*        Southeast-Miles City

Region 7      406-232-0930